Washington

State News

Washington state gas stations on Oct. 30 began posting legislatively-required stickers that explain the 68 cents-per-gallon federal and state gas tax to consumers. All state fuel pumps will receive the stickers over the next three years, which amendment sponsor Rep....

Bonding and a new $100 fee on electric motor vehicles are two components of a potential deal to end Wisconsin’s state budget impasse, according to Rep. Jon Nygren (R- District 89), co-chair of the legislature’s budget-writing committee, on Aug. 22. Lawmakers...

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on Aug. 30 announced eight state transportation projects would receive $14.2 million in grants to assess alternative revenue mechanisms under the Surface Transportation System Funding...

by Carolyn Kramer, Transportation Investment Advocacy Center Manager A new analysis of eight states that passed legislation to increase their state motor fuel taxes in 2015 to pay for important new transportation improvements shows that 98 percent of Republican and...

Illinois lawmakers approved a bill on Dec. 7 to release already-collected fuel taxes to fund local road work, as the revenue is intended. The bill also includes an increase in winter maintenance funds to local governments are able to manage snow and inclement weather....

An updated report by the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center™ shows 23 states have passed legislation to support transportation investment so far in 2015, generating an estimated $11.3 billion in new revenue. Over 170 measures were introduced in 2015, with 36...

Senate Bill 5987 was signed into law on July 15, 2015 in order to increase the state gas tax by 11.9 cents-per-gallon and increase transportation-related fees, as well as permit Sound Transit residents to vote on a plan to fund expansion of the region’s lightrail...

Preliminary Nov. 3 election results show voters in eight states approved 26 of 37 (70 percent) state or local referendums to increase transportation funding, according to an analysis by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s “Transportation...

Michigan lawmakers Nov. 3 approved increases to the state’s motor fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees as part of a $1.2 billion plan to fund the state’s transportation infrastructure. The compromise, consisting of seven bills that were long debated between the...

An updated report by the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center™ shows 18 states have passed legislation to support transportation investment in 2015. Coming up, three states have fall ballot measures pending voter approval, and at least two states are continuing...

Over the past 10 years, state transportation funds have supported an average of 48 percent of annual capital outlays for highway and bridge projects, with federal resources providing the remaining 52 percent. Since 2013, 15 states have increased taxes on motor fuel to...

An updated report with information on over 160 transportation funding initiatives introduced in 2015—what’s passed, what’s failed, and what’s still pending—is now available. So far in 2015: Washington, Nebraska, Georgia, Idaho, Utah, South Dakota, Iowa, and Delaware...

The TIAC staff researches and prepares detailed case studies of recent successful—and unsuccessful—state and local legislative and ballot initiative campaigns aimed at increasing transportation infrastructure investment. For each case, the studies dig into the...

Washington became the seventh state in 2015 to approve an increase in their state gas tax, joining Idaho, Iowa, Georgia, South Dakota, Utah and Nebraska. On Aug. 1, a 7 cents-per-gallon increase went into effect state-wide, with the remaining 4.9 cents of the 11.9...

cents-per-gallon

Beginning July 1, 2016, plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles that can travel 30 miles using only electric will be subject to this fee, and will pay an additional $50 registration renewal fee.

Excise Tax: Starting at 37.5 cents-per-gallon of special fuel, or each 100 cubic feet of compressed natural gas (CNG), measured at standard pressure and temperature.

Beginning Aug. 1, 2015, an additional and cumulative tax rate of 7 cents-per-gallon of special fuel shall be imposed on special fuel licensees, other than special fuel distributors.

Beginning July 1, 2016, an additional and cumulative tax rate of 4.9 cents-per-gallon of special fuel shall be imposed on special fuel licensees, other than special fuel distributors.

Fee: An annual fee is administered to owners of natural gas (LPG) vehicles based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), in lieu of excise tax.

*Federal funding percentages are from an ARTBA analysis of FHWA Highway Statistics data, total ten year average 2004-2013 from tables SF-1 and SF-2. The percent is the ratio of federal aid reimbursements to the state and total state capital outlays and is indicative of the importance of the federal aid program to state capital spending for highways and bridges. Does not include local capital spending. Federal highway reimbursements are primarily used for capital outlays, including construction, right of way and engineering, but are also used for debt service for GARVEE bonds.

Sponsor:

The Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC) is a key component of ARTBA’s “Transportation Makes America Work!”™ (TMAW) program and supported through voluntary contributions and sponsorships. To become a sponsor or to make a contribution, contact TIAC Director Carolyn Kramer at ckramer@artba.org or 202-289-4434. Also contact Ms. Kramer if you have questions or comments about any reports or case studies published through the TIAC.

The TIAC Education Program:

In addition to the dynamic www.transportationinvestment.org site, the TIAC program includes an annual workshop in Washington, D.C., and ongoing webinars for transportation investment advocates featuring case studies, best practices, and the latest in political and media strategies. State and local chamber of commerce executives, state legislators, state and local transportation officials, “Better Roads & Transportation” group members, industry and labor executives, and leaders of state and local chapters of national organizations who have an interest in transportation development programs are welcomed to participate.